John Morris’ Okanagan rink was winless after three draws Thursday at the $100,000 WestJet Players’ Championship at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens
Morris, a Calgarian with Jim Cotter of Vernon throwing skip stones, was 0-3 going into a Thursday night game against Brendan Bottscher of Edmonton.
Tyrel Griffith of Kelowna is throwing lead rocks, while pick-up Catlin Schneider of Regina is playing second. Regular lead Rick Sawatsky of Kelowna is on injured reserve.
Morris lost 9-4 to Mike McEwen of Winnipeg Thursday with McEwen counting three in the opening end while recording an 83 per cent shot rate. Morris shot 83 per cent and Cotter 72. Schneider struggled at 67 per cent.
Morris lost 6-4 to world champion Brad Gushue of Newfoundland in his Wednesday afternoon draw. Gushue curled 96 per cent, while Morris was at 73 and Cotter 83. Gushue won his first three games.
The Okanagan foursome bowed 7-3 to Kevin Koe of Calgary in their opener, giving up four in the sixth end.
Morris faces Reid Carruthers of Winnipeg in his final draw Friday morning.
The WestJet Players’ Championship is the fourth major and sixth event of the 2016-17 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season. The Rogers Grand Slam Cup will be awarded to the overall season champions following the conclusion of the tournament.
Winners of the WestJet Players’ Championship will earn berths to the Humpty’s Champions Cup running April 25-30 in Calgary.